NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

National Iron

May 6 – August 29, 2010

Panel Discussions for WCIAA conference registrants: May 7, 3-5 PM

Artists’ Reception: beer garden and music by Joan Zen, May 7, 5-8 PM

Jurors Gallery Talk: David Lodbell and Stephen Glueckert, May 7, 7 PM

Missoula, MT / April 6, 2010/ Missoula Art Museum (MAM) / This national exhibition of cast iron art is sponsored by the Western Cast Iron Art Alliance (WCIAA) and the Missoula Art Museum. The opening will coincide with the WCIAA Conference - held in Missoula for the first time, May 6-11, 2010. The exhibition serves as a survey of the diverse national collection of artwork made in the medium of cast iron. Accepted works included in the exhibition will be featured in the Aresty Gallery May through August. The exhibition jurors included Stephen Glueckert, Curator of Exhibitions, Missoula Art Museum and David Lobdell, Professor of Art, New Mexico Highlands University. Both will be available to discuss the exhibition and selections on First Friday, May 7.

Cast iron has a tradition richly associated with utilitarian and industrial use. Everything from man-hole covers to machinery gears and automobile parts to weaponry has been created using this medium. More recently, contemporary artists have pushed the medium to show its versatility in expressive terms. In addition to the juried exhibition, conference participants will pour castings on Thursday, May 6. The resulting works will be shown and celebrated one night only: First Friday May 7.

Community members wishing to attend and participate in the conference and attend the educational workshops and panel discussions can access online registration at WCIAA.org.

The founding and steering committee for the conference, the Western Cast Iron Art Alliance, would like acknowledge the combined efforts of, and sponsorship by, several entities including: The University of Montana's School of Art, Missoula Art Museum, and The Montana Museum of Art & Culture. In conjunction with the conference, an exhibition featuring the artwork of this year's Keynote Speakers will be presented by The Montana Museum of Art & Culture. The WCIAC 2010 Keynote Speakers are Elizabeth Kronfield and Matthew Wicker, both educators and artists from Rochester, NY. The Keynote address will be at the UC Theater in the University Center at 7:30 PM on Thursday 6, following the exhibition opening.

Contact:  For more information please contact the Missoula Art Museum at 406-728-0447, visit the MAM website at www.missoulaartmuseum.org or contact Stephen Glueckert, Exhibitions Curator, stevegl@missoulaartmuseum.org, 406.728.0447 x226.

- END -

About MAM: FREE EXPRESSION / FREE ADMISSION. The Missoula Art Museum strives to engage artists and audience in the creative exploration of contemporary art relevant to our community, state and region. Founded in 1975 and accredited by the American Association of Museums since 1987, MAM showcases diverse and thought-provoking contemporary artwork from local and international artists. Gallery Hours: Wed-Fri, 10AM-5PM, Sat-Sun, 10AM-3PM. Office hours: Mon-Fri, 9AM-5PM.

MAM / 335 North Pattee, Missoula, MT 59802 / t: 406.728.0447 / missoulaartmuseum.org / museum@missoulaartmuseum.org